TEHRAN—'Spirituality and tourism’ is a subject which has been proposed by the University of Science and Culture (USC) near a decade and has turned into a global issue. 

Spirituality in tourism should not be restricted to the pilgrimage destinations. Spirituality is an approach. Although the ‘location’ is important, but the goal and purpose of the tourist is the first thing that is considered in tourism studies.

Mohammad-Hossein Imani Khoshkhu, the USC head, told ISNA: “Many enthusiasts have entered this field in recent years and lots of articles and speeches have been presented. At first, spirituality was a restricted field of tourism. Fortunately, it has turned into a wide-ranging issue in tourism and its manifestations can be seen in various tourism types.”

He said that four international seminars have been held in this regard, adding that the fifth international spirituality and tourism seminar will be held in February with participation of domestic and foreign intellectuals and professors.

Imani Khoshkhu continued: “It seems that spirituality can have a new expression from Islamic Republic of Iran for the world . It has also been welcomed by the other countries. It is hoped that the scientific results of these talks will be defined well in the fifth international seminar.”

“Holy shrines are spiritual attractions for Muslims. They can also have special attractions for other people. The tourism destination can help promote spiritual dimension of human being, which shapes the spiritual intelligence along with rational and emotional intelligences.”

He continued that the spiritual intelligence encourages the human to search for the truth, the creator, and the link between the created and the creator. 

“If we see this issue from the viewpoint of a faithful Muslim, we notice that its concepts are in compliance with Quranic trainings. Holy Quran invites human being to a journey and reiterates its consequences such as observing the fate of past people and considering the divine creation.”

“This attitude is the deep insight that is also emphasized in scientific texts. This approach can be a manifestation of cultural and spiritual tourism.”

On importance of management and enhancing the tourism infrastructures, he said that Iran is among top 10 nations worldwide in terms of diversity of historical, cultural and natural tourism resources. “But these resources are not enough. They should turn into the tourism products. Enhancing the infrastructures and precise planning are of high importance.”

He said that tourism can be considered as a sustainable source of revenue. “In case of proper management, tourism industry can address its costs. The private sector is in charge of close to 90 percent of the activities, while the remaining 10 percent is with the Government in supervisory and legislation fields.”

Imani Khoshkhu called Mashhad one of the most important pilgrimage and tourism destinations. “In spite of high number of pilgrims and tourists, Mashhad faces challenges in infrastructures particularly rail and road transportation.”
Lack of united management in this city has created chao, he said.

Once a coordinated and comprehensive management is made in Mashhad, the infrastructures will be enhanced, preventing the loss of tourism and pilgrimage capacities and opportunities, he concluded.

KD